Outfit for a wedding in America

[TeamSledward]

I've been invited to my cousin's wedding in America.
I've been invited to the Rehearsal Dinner on the Friday evening, and then the wedding ceremony is at 5.30 on Saturday, followed by cocktails, dinner and dancing.
Then there is a Sunday breakfast reception (coffee, juice and light snacks, apparently...)

WTF do I wear?!
I have a lovely flattering black lace dress that I would like to wear to the wedding, but I have concerns. I wouldn't wear black to a British wedding, but is that acceptable in the US (especially with a cocktail party after)?
And what about the Sunday do? Any weddings I've been to here, where we've stayed over, everyone just rocks up to breakfast in the hotel bleary eyed and wearing their jeans.

I'm 5'2, and a larger lady. Big boobs, apple shaped, but cracking legs (even if I do say so myself!). Size 16 waist, with an 18/20/22 top, depending on which shop I go in.
And on a budget too! Don't really want to spend more than £75 on a dress, would love to spend less that £150 on outfits for all three occasions.

Where near DC? It would depend on the venue. I live just outside DC, so may be able to advise, but people here have been spot on. Generally weddings are much smarter here - very evening-wearish.

Although I would be more cautious on the rehearsal dinner - I would probably opt for smart trousers and top, so that you are not overdressed.

I agree with a fascinator - they would loooove it here.

55F = 13 degrees C
75F = 23 degrees C
:o

Well, that sounds lovely!

Ok - that is just 20 mins up the road from me - looks very nice. And the Shenandoah valley area is very pretty.

And the bride's description makes it sound much more sensible and relaxed than some of the weddings I have been to here. You could wear anything that you are comfortable in. They will expect you to be different as a Brit anyway, and will send loads of time telling you how nice your accent is!

55-75 degrees is between 15-25 degrees C. And that is the truth of it. March could be summery, or could be snow, although not likely. This area is too far north to be able to guarantee decent weather in Spring - sorry.

Sounds nice - i am sure you will look great!

Maybe have a backup for the knitted dress/thick tights, in case the weather is too warm. It could be summer-like, you never know.

You could do a 5-day check in advance. Weather predictions are pretty reliable here, which is interesting after the UK.

I agree about the backup outfit in case of weather. I would have one a bit smarter than jeans as a backup for the breakfast too just in case you get the feeling jeans wouldn't work.

Spamm, just wanted to ask - my impression from visiting DC in April is that it can be a muggy in spring (and deffo in summer, urgh). I'm thinking it would be good to have a lighter, floaty material as a back-up, in case of humidity? Am I wrong?

Lurking and laughing at the ba naaaaaaaaaarna incident.

If Americans love fascinators, why don't they just wear them themselves?

My best guess is (not an American BTW, I live north of those people :o) you can't really get them easily in the U.S.

TeamEd, are you flat or frizzy?

Could be a bit humid, but will not be bad in March, unless it has really warmed up.

Seems unlikely today, as it was -9 this morning, but that is not as bad as the UK, as it is so dry. However, we are in the very dry, static season, which is fun. I try to convince my DH that the constant shocks are a result of the spark still there after 25 years, but he just says:"Ow!".

On fascinators, I never see displays of them here, like you do in John Lewis. Maybe the Americans just like to see them on eccentric Brits?

@spamm

Maybe the Americans just like to see them on eccentric Brits?

Think this is it. Honestly I was like a fairground attraction at the Us/Uk wedding I went to..

Fascinators are seen as a quintessentially British, and therefore mildly eccentric and hoity toity quirk, like afternoon tea. Something Americans love to see the British doing, but foreign to them much as cricket is.

WRT hair:
You need to use a lot of conditioner, don't rinse all of it out, and put argan oil in your hair before you towel dry it. Alternatively, investigate hairspray/lamination products advertised in the online world of Irish dancing (not Irish dancing wigs ).

this could be you

I think they are pretty much the same thing.

All sorts of museums and government buildings in DC, plus the Vietnam Memorial and other war memorials, Arlington Cemetery, the Lincoln Memorial. Georgetown is quaint and attractive.

Some ideas.

I personally think Fekkai Glossing Cream is the most ahhhhhh-mazing thing for frizzy fly-away hair. It's so lightweight it's barely there. It's what your hair would ask for if it could talk. If you can't get it in the UK, you'll be able to buy it in DC :)